The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) now offers its service allowing customers to get off a bus between two stops to all passengers and no longer just to women. Management also believes that it is still too early to draw conclusions from the drop in ridership at the Laval and Longueuil stations, revealed by The Press.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
The “Between Two Stops” service had been offered since 1996 to women traveling alone on STM buses. Starting today, “anyone traveling alone or being accompanied by children can request this service between 7:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.,” the STM said in a press release published on Monday.
People in wheelchairs will also be able to use it “if the ramp can be deployed safely” at the requested location, whereas they were previously excluded.
The expansion of access to the service aims “to offer the same safe travel experience to all STM customers who might experience a feeling of insecurity in the city at night,” specifies the Société de transport.
In an interview, the director general of the STM, Marie-Claude Léonard, indicates that the organization does not have data on the use of the service, “but it is certain that over the years, there are thousands of women who have taken advantage of this service,” she says.
Users told The Press have had a positive experience of the service so far. “It’s very useful and safe. It was reassuring when I went out to know that I could have this service,” says Monica, adding that it is “super easy to use”.
“As a woman, I find it really helpful,” Lisa agrees.
When you don’t know Montreal well and you go out, you drink a little, you’re often disoriented, it helps a lot.
Lisa, user of the STM’s “Between two stops” service
Méghane agrees: “I ask the driver about two stops before the exact street corner and he often works very well,” she says.
Whether it’s a good idea to extend the service to everyone, they are more mixed. “I’m not sure what to think about it,” admits Monica. “This service reassured me because it was only for women and it provided some security. »
“If it’s for everyone in high traffic areas […] I don’t know if people will take advantage of this service a little too much,” suggests Lisa. However, she believes that “it’s not just women who can feel vulnerable at night.” This is also what Méghane thinks.
Women do not have the monopoly of feeling less safe at night. Many people can benefit from it, I believe.
Méghane, user of the STM’s “Between two stops” service
Mme Léonard, of the STM, is not afraid of abuse. “We trust our customers, who will use our service wisely,” she says.
“Too early” to draw conclusions, says the STM
The Press revealed earlier this month that admissions to the Longueuil and Laval metro stations fell 16.2% after this summer’s fare reform.
Experts consulted estimate that the increase in the cost of the passage is probably to blame, as the price of a metro ticket there rose from $3.50 to $5.25 on the 1er last July.
Invited to respond, Mr.me Léonard believes that “it is too early to confirm that it is pricing that causes this difference, but we will follow the data closely, certainly”, she assures.
However, it notes that it is the Regional Metropolitan Transport Authority (ARTM) which is responsible for pricing. The ARTM led the questions of The Press towards the STM during the report on the drop in ridership.